Moving to Dublin or Galway: opening a current account in Ireland

The first weeks: order of steps

A current account in Ireland is held in euros with a debit card and an Irish IBAN, and a newcomer opens it on arrival to work, study or retire, often even before obtaining a PPSN. Salary can only be paid once it exists, so documents should be prepared as soon as the employment contract is signed.

On arrival in Ireland, three steps follow one another: finding housing, applying for a PPSN and opening an account. Salary can only be paid once the account exists, so preparing documents as soon as the employment contract is signed helps.

The employer letter as proof of address

Without a bill in their name, an employee can often present a letter from the Irish employer confirming employment and address. Banks may also accept a letter from Revenue or the Department of Social Protection sent to the Irish address.

The PPSN and registering with Revenue

The PPSN, issued after an appointment with the relevant service, allows registration with Revenue so tax is correctly deducted from pay. The bank records it too, and an employee without a PPSN suffers emergency tax on early salaries.

Debit card and contactless payments

A personal account in Ireland comes with a Visa or Mastercard debit card used for most payments, including contactless and mobile wallets. Cheques are disappearing and transfers between individuals are made by IBAN.

Account maintenance and card fees

Irish banks often charge monthly maintenance fees, sometimes waived if a minimum amount is lodged each month or for certain customer groups. Comparing the fee schedules of each bank before opening an Irish current account is worthwhile.

Student accounts in university cities

Students enrolled at Trinity College, University College Dublin or the University of Galway can open student accounts without monthly fees. The bank asks for proof of enrolment, and the university letter often serves as proof of address.

Opening steps at AIB

At AIB, an individual already living in Ireland opens the account through the app by photographing a passport and recording a video selfie. A newcomer without a verifiable address yet books a branch appointment with original documents.

European retirees settling in Ireland

A French retiree moving to Ireland can have a pension paid into an Irish euro account with no currency conversion. The France-Ireland tax treaty determines which state taxes each type of pension, which deserves checking beforehand.

Savings and DIRT on interest

Irish savings accounts pay interest subject to DIRT withholding, and deposits remain covered by the 100,000 euro guarantee. State savings products offered by the national debt management agency are an alternative.

Keeping the Irish account after returning to France

An expatriate returning to France can keep the Irish account, provided the address and tax residence are updated with the bank. It is then declared on form 3916, and Ireland passes the data to France under CRS.

Documents to gather to open a current account in Ireland

To open a current account in Ireland, prepare your passport or ID, proof of an Irish address and, for an employee, a letter from the employer confirming the job. Without a bill in your name, the bank sometimes accepts a letter from Revenue or the Department of Social Protection. The PPSN is not always required at the first appointment, but it will be recorded afterwards.

The way you open the account depends on your situation. An individual already living in Ireland can use the app, photographing a passport and recording a video selfie. A newcomer without a verifiable address will book a branch appointment with original documents. Procedures vary by bank, and no timing is guaranteed, so find out before you travel.

Think about the order of steps in the first weeks: housing, PPSN application, then bank account. Salary can only be paid once the account is open, so it pays to gather documents as soon as the employment contract is signed. Keep copies of everything, because the bank may ask for them again when it updates your file.

Questions to ask before opening a personal account in Ireland

Before choosing a bank, ask which monthly maintenance fees apply, when they are waived and what minimum amount must be lodged each month. Ask also about the cost of the debit card, of withdrawals abroad and of international transfers. Compare the fee schedules of several institutions before signing, and keep the terms you are given in writing.

For a personal account in Ireland, ask whether the app lets you open the account remotely after arriving in Ireland, which documents are accepted as proof of address and what happens if the PPSN has not yet been issued. If you are a student, ask which student account is offered, whether it is free and which proof of enrolment or university letter the bank requires.

Finally, ask about savings: Irish savings accounts pay interest subject to DIRT withholding, and deposits remain covered by the 100,000 euro guarantee. Ask how the bank will inform you if you change address or tax residence, notably when returning to France. Note the adviser's name and the date of each answer. Keep each reply on file.

Common mistakes with an Irish current account

The first mistake is to arrive without proof of address or an employer letter and lose days in repeated visits. Prepare these documents before leaving, and ask the employer for the letter confirming the job and the Irish address. This also avoids delaying the first salary payment, which can only be made after the account is open. Check the order of steps early.

The second mistake concerns the PPSN and Revenue. An employee without a PPSN yet suffers emergency tax on early salaries, which reduces take-home pay without always being noticed. Apply for the PPSN on arrival, register with Revenue, then give the number to the bank and the employer without waiting for the second month. Do not wait for the second month.

An expatriate returning to France can keep the Irish account, provided the address and tax residence are updated with the bank. It is then declared on form 3916, and Ireland passes the data to France under CRS. Keep your statements so you can complete these formalities without stress.

Employee, student or retiree: which personal bank account?

The choice of a personal bank account depends on your profile. An employee mainly wants quick opening and an account that receives pay without high fees. A student enrolled at Trinity College, University College Dublin or the University of Galway can open a student account with no monthly fees, on showing proof of enrolment. Compare before you decide.

A European retiree settling in Ireland can have a pension paid into an Irish euro account with no currency conversion. The France-Ireland tax treaty determines which state taxes each type of pension, which deserves checking beforehand. This choice is prepared with pension funds and a tax adviser before the move. Ask for written confirmation. Keep this note with your records.

In every case, verify the conditions with the bank and, for identity, tax and residence rules, with the competent Irish bodies. Fees, thresholds and procedures evolve. A prepared conversation with a written list of questions lets you compare several offers before committing, and know in advance whether your file matches the bank's expectations. A written check protects you.